Jun 18, 2012

Actually, he would be loving this and I know he wishes he was with us now.

Tim flew out of the Denver airport at the completely unreasonable hour of 6:10 a.m. When you are an hour and a half from the airport, that means getting up at 3:00 a.m. Ugh. Double ugh.

Because the Departure's section of the airport has serious height restrictions, we dropped him off at the Arrivals area. He grabbed his carry-on, gave me a quick kiss as we switched out drivers, and headed into the airport. I - after much frustration at trying to adjust the driver's seat - headed into the sunrise. Something has happened to the seat adjustment thingy, and it won't go anywhere! So I now drive with a pillow behind me, sitting on the edge of the seat.

Abe and Conni were asleep the whole time. They don't even remember dropping Tim off.

I drove until 6:30, then couldn't keep my eyes open. I found a rest area and pulled in between 2 tractor trailers, crawled into my bed, and slept for 2 hours. Then Abe started driving.

As we were rolling along, we started talking about what we wanted to do; where we wanted to go. We had no real plans; nowhere to be at a certain time. We wanted to do something on the water. After being around such neat rivers and streams but not really being able to enjoy them because they were too cold, we really wanted some water to play in.

We pulled up good old Google and searched for an RV camp with water.

Bingo!

Found one- a little nondescript campground near Salina, KS. Out in the country. Gravel roads. Past a bunch of corn and wheat fields. Lakeside Recreational Park.

We pull in and see this:

That's what I'm talking about!
It is a 63 acre privately owned park. (Abe is happy it's not a National Park with lots of rules.) They have a 12 acre lake that is clear and beautiful! It used to be a sand pit, so the entire bottom of the lake is sand - not that goopy, slimy, mud stuff. And look at that beach! It's so nice! And best of all, we pretty much have it to ourselves!

Another bonus: there are 2 diving platforms and a swing on the lake. The kids have spent hours out here!

Between 15 and 20 feet deep at the diving platform. Much deeper out in the middle.

When I first got in and wanted to go jump off the platform, I was instructed to start with the high one - don't even LOOK at the low one. So I did. It is high! Higher than the rock we jumped off of into the Merced River in Yosemite. But the water is much nicer. Feels so good.

Another bonus: a 400 ft. water slide! Here's a view of it through the trees behind the sand volleyball court.

Because we are the only one's here, the family that owns the park allowed us to use the slide the "fun and fast" way. In other words...minus the rules! Up at the top of the slide, they blocked off the water for a while; allowed it to build way up. Then they let it out and all went down one right after the other. Way more water - way faster - way more fun!

Shooting out the bottom.

It was a really fun ride. I loved it too.

Now here comes a little promotion for Lakeside Park. Not only does this place have lots of amenities and gorgeous scenery, the owners are Christians! I have really enjoyed spending time with Renae; talking about life, family, and our faith. Encouraging each other! :)

They have 4 kids - exactly our kids ages. One girl, three boys. The boys have spent a lot of time with my kids playing a crazy-wear-you-out game in the water called ball tag. Lots of running, swimming, jumping, throwing.

Sherri...as you well know....God has such awesome plans for our lives and you all have certainly lived that before your blog world and God is well pleased! Jeff and I have been so very encouraged as you've shared all the wonderful opportunities He has lead your family into! What is we all could live our lives like that.....TRUST Him with ALL of our hearts and seeing His hand in every single thing that happened in our lives....because, whether we see it that way or not...it's the truth! All I can say after reading this post is, "Praise God" for His wonderful love and care for the Cotten family during their travels as they have chosen to seek Him and ENJOY alll that He has brought their way!! We have enjoyed ALL your sharing and your travels with God have INCREASED our faith! We served an ALMIGHTY God and He alone is worthy of ALL our honor and praise! Walk on Cotten family! God loves you all and has faithfully shown Himself to you all thru out this entire trip....and will continue to do so until the day that He takes you all to be in His glorious presence! We serve a loving, caring Father! Again, I can not say thank you enough for the time you have taken to bring praise to God thru your blog! Thank you ....... Thank you ..... Thank you!!